The most prominent structure at Namutoni is Fort Namutoni, built in 1896. It was originally a German Police post and, as part of the Red Line, a veterinary control point. The Red Line at that time extended to Okaukuejo in the west and Otjituuo in the east.[1] Later Namutoni was used to hold English prisoners in World War I. The original fort was destroyed in 1904 following the Battle of Namutoni and rebuilt a year or two later. Fort Namutoni was declared a National Monument in 1947 by the South West Africa Monuments Council.[2]
The current fort was restored to its present state in 1957 and now largely serves as a lodge, stopover, and view point for visitors to Etosha National Park.